FOREARM ARTERIAL LOOP AS AN EXPEDIENT SOURCE FOR INFLOW TO UPPER EXTREMITY FREE FLAPS

Challenging wounds of the upper extremity requiring free tissue transf ers are relatively infrequent, As a direct consequence, methods to acc ess recipient vessels or acceptable alternatives may not be as familia r as in the lower extremity. In rare circumstances, creation of an art erial loop by elevation of a portion of either major forearm artery pr ovides an easily accessible, pristine source of inflow for a planned f ree flap matching vessels of comparable caliber, Such a maneuver may a lso be important to ensure preservation of optimal hand function by av oiding any dissection in the vicinity of essential musculotendinous an d neurovascular structures that might reside within or adjacent to the zone of injury. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.